Possible reforms

A senior Chinese official has promised "unprecedented" reforms - but much of what is decided may not become clear for some time

Major issues that could be on the agenda include financial liberalisation and reform of state-owned enterprises. Household registration reform (hukou) and land reform have also been flagged up - but costs and vested interests may make these tough issues to tackle

They generally take place a year after new leaders take office, after they have established their power base.

Previous Third Plenums have had a major impact on China's development.

At the Third Plenum in 1978, former leader Deng Xiaoping announced the opening-up of China's economy, spearheading major market-oriented reforms.

In 1993's Third Plenum, former leader Zhu Rongji announced the "socialist market economy" and dismantled a large part of China's state-owned sector.

Security is tight in Beijing ahead of the meeting, with tensions higher than usual in the wake of last week's incident in Tiananmen Square.

Five people were killed in what Chinese officials called a "terrorist attack" incited by extremists from the western region of Xinjiang when a car drove through crowds and burst into flames near an entrance to the Forbidden City.

BBC links

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